Publications
| Title | Abstract | Year(sorted ascending) Filter | PMID Filter |
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| contingency discriminability, matching, and bias in the concurrent-schedule responding of possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | six possums (trichosuruus vulpecula) responded under dependent concurrent variable-interval variable-interval schedules of reinforcement. over 15 conditions, barley-carob was one reinforcer with the other reinforcer consisting of coco pops, coconut, or a barley-carob mixture with 0%, 2%, 4%, or 6% salt added to the barley. the schedules were both variable-interval 40 s. as has been found with other species, behavior on the concurrent schedules was biased by the type of feed, with the 6% salt and ... | 2003 | 12908759 |
| characterization of the intrinsic and extrinsic innervation of the gall bladder epithelium in the australian brush-tailed possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | intrinsic neurones of the gall bladder modulate its function. nitric oxide synthase (nos) and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (vip) are present in gall bladder neurones and nitric oxide and vip modulate its epithelial functions. as an extensive extrinsic innervation of the gall bladder is also present, the source of the epithelial innervation is unclear. in this study the source of the gall bladder epithelial innervation is defined. immunoreactivity for vip, nos, substance p (sp), calcitonin g ... | 2003 | 12846726 |
| differential susceptibility to eucalyptus secondary compounds explains feeding by the common ringtail (pseudocheirus peregrinus) and common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the effect of two plant secondary metabolites, tannins and formylated phloroglucinol compounds (fpcs), on the intake of eucalyptus foliage by common ringtail (pseudocheirus peregrinus) and common brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) was studied. we manipulated the amount of tannin that was free to bind with protein by coating foliage with polyethylene glycol 4000 (peg) and relied on natural intraspecific variation in fpc concentrations. in contrast to ringtail possums, brushtail possums sho ... | 2003 | 12592445 |
| ionic calcium levels in oviduct explant-conditioned media from an australian marsupial, the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) and its relevance to in vitro fertilization. | gametes from the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula), an australian marsupial, require exposure to oviductal cells and/or their secretions before sperm binding and penetration of the zona pellucida can occur. sperm-egg fusion, the next critical step in fertilization has not previously been reported in vitro. here we describe the refinement of an oviduct epithelial cell (oec) explant culture system using two different media to obtain in vitro sperm-egg fusion in the brushtail possum for the ... | 2003 | 15085727 |
| the lymphoid and immunohaematopoietic tissues of the embryonic brushtail possum ( trichosurus vulpecula). | the lymphoid and immunohaematopoietic tissues of the embryonic and full-term brushtail possums was investigated histologically and immunohistochemically using antibodies to the t- and b-cell markers, cd3, cd5, cd79a and cd79b. no clearly defined thymus, bone marrow, spleen, lymph nodes, gut-associated lymphoid tissues or bronchus-associated lymphoid tissues were observed histologically. the liver was haematopoietic and contained erythrocytic and granulocytic precursors. no mature lymphocytes wer ... | 2003 | 12592570 |
| effects of two plant secondary metabolites, cineole and gallic acid, on nightly feeding patterns of the common brushtail possum. | we investigated effects of two plant secondary metabolites (psms), cineole and gallic acid, on the nightly feeding behavior of the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula), a generalist folivore. we tested whether possums altered their feeding behavior in response to increasing levels of cineole, a dietary terpene. possums were fed artificial diets containing three levels of cineole: zero (basal diet), medium (6.8% of total dry matter, dm), and high (15.3% dm). in another experiment, we i ... | 2003 | 12918927 |
| determination of steroidogenic potential of ovarian cells of the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the ovary of the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) secretes steroids; however, little is known about the identity of the steroidogenic cells in the ovary. the aim of the present study was to determine the identity of the ovarian cell types expressing mrnas encoding proteins important for steroidogenesis and determine at what stage of follicular development they are expressed. the genes examined were those for steroidogenic factor-1 (sf-1), steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (star), cy ... | 2003 | 12773431 |
| effect of oestradiol treatment on mast cell populations and microflora in the vaginal cul-de-sac of seasonally anoestrous brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | mast cell populations in the vaginal cul-de-sac of female brushtail possums do not appear to be related to microbial invasion but changes in their density occur at oestrus, indicating a hormonal influence. the present study examined the effect of treatment with oestradiol on microflora and on mast cell numbers and their spatial location in cul-de-sac tissue of seasonally anoestrous brushtail possums. tissue was collected from seasonally anoestrous brushtail possums (n = 6 per group) that were ei ... | 2003 | 12713436 |
| cloning and expression of a novel cdna encoding shell coat protein, cp4, from the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the marsupial conceptus is enclosed by several egg coats of evolutionary significance and unknown composition, of which the shell coat in mammals occurs only in marsupials and monotremes. intact coats are vital to marsupial embryonic development. towards a better understanding of the marsupial coat proteins, a cdna sequence (cp4) encoding a shell coat protein was cloned from the brushtail possum. a cdna library of a zygote stage uterus was screened using a deduced oligonucleotide sequence based ... | 2003 | 12704724 |
| the gh/igf-i axis in the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) pouch young. | plasma and pituitary gh concentrations and liver gh receptor (ghr), igf-i and igf-binding protein-3 (igfbp-3) mrna expression were determined in brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) pouch young aged 12-150 days post-partum and in adults. mean plasma gh concentrations were highest, measuring around 150 ng/ml, from 12 to 100 days post-partum, and thereafter declined so that by 150 days post-partum levels were not significantly different from those in adults (10.8+/-1.8 ng/ml (s.e.m.)). in cont ... | 2003 | 12553870 |
| expression of the fcrn receptor (alpha and beta) gene homologues in the intestine of suckling brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) pouch young. | the neonatal igg transporter fcrn consists of two chains, fcrn alpha and beta (also known as beta(2) microglobulin), and is involved in transferring igg molecules across both mammary and intestinal epithelial cells. developmental changes in fcrn igg alpha and beta chain mrna levels were investigated in the gut of brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) pouch young (py) using northern hybridisation. fcrn alpha transcripts were detected in the py proximal intestine at all times examined, between ... | 2003 | 12531282 |
| constraint of feeding by chronic ingestion of 1,8-cineole in the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | eucalyptus leaf-eating marsupials such as the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) ingest large amounts of terpenes, especially 1,8-cineole (cineole)--the major component of many eucalyptus oils. brushtail possums were acclimated to a non-eucalyptus diet with increasing concentrations of cineole (0.5-4.0% wet weight) added over 18 d. we measured food and cineole consumption and urinary metabolites of cineole. food intake decreased with cineole content, indicating that it was constrained by t ... | 2004 | 15260222 |
| effect of steroid hormones on tissue remodelling and progesterone receptors in the uterus of seasonally anoestrous brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | this study describes progesterone receptor (pr) location within uterine cells and associated morphological changes to the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium in seasonally anoestrous brushtail possums treated with oestradiol and/or progesterone. twenty-four adult female possums (n = 6/group) were treated with oestradiol, progesterone, oestradiol followed by progesterone or with the oil vehicle alone for 6-day periods. uterine tissue was recovered, weighed and processed for light and transmi ... | 2004 | 15056791 |
| body size, age and paternity in common brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | sexual selection should produce sexual size dimorphism in species where larger members of one sex obtain disproportionately more matings. recent theory suggests that the degree of sexual size dimorphism depends on physical and temporal constraints involving the operational sex ratio, the potential reproductive rate and the trade-off between current reproductive effort and residual reproductive value. as part of a large-scale experiment on dispersal, we investigated the mating system of common br ... | 2004 | 14653799 |
| cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in a marsupial species, the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula), and estimation of its duration. | we investigated the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium in a marsupial, namely the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula), using semithin sections of seminiferous tubules embedded in spurr's resin. using 14 steps of spermatid development as markers, we were able to class tubular cross-sections into 10 well-defined stages of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. the duration of one cycle was 13.5 days, as determined by injections of [(3)h]-thymidine and autoradiographic examination of the most ad ... | 2004 | 15304203 |
| a flow cytometric assay for global estimation of tyrosine phosphorylation associated with capacitation of spermatozoa from two marsupial species, the tammar wallaby (macropus eugenii) and the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in cellular proteins is a major signal transduction event during sperm capacitation. in this study protein phosphorylation was monitored using a fluorescein isothiocyanate (fitc)-labeled antiphosphotyrosine monoclonal antibody and a flow cytometric procedure optimized for sperm. using this technique, the correlation between tyrosine phosphorylation and sperm capacitation was examined in two marsupial species, the brushtail possum and the tammar wallaby an ... | 2004 | 15056774 |
| normal levels of immunocompetence in possums (trichosurus vulpecula) exposed to different laboratory housing conditions post capture. | specific and non-specific immunological tests were used to monitor aspects of the immune response in captive possums. the tests included total and differential white blood cell counts, lymphocyte transformation assay, and enzyme linked immunosorbant assay. the level of free cortisol present in possum plasma samples was evaluated as an endocrine marker for stress. four different housing conditions were used to test whether stress could be managed or avoided in captive animals. animals were caged ... | 2004 | 15186255 |
| high microsatellite diversity and differential structuring among populations of the introduced common brushtail possum, trichosurus vulpecula, in new zealand. | an understanding of genetic variation and structure of pest populations has the potential to improve the efficiency of measures to control them. genetic analysis was undertaken at five microsatellite loci in four native australian and 14 introduced new zealand populations of the common brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula in order to document these parameters. genetic variation in new zealand populations, and phylogenetic relationships among australian and new zealand populations, were largely ... | 2004 | 15219155 |
| ratio of inferior olivary cells to purkinje cells in a marsupial (trichosurus vulpecula). | an indirect estimate of the extent of branching of the olivary axons in the cerebellum in a marsupial (trichosurus vulpecula) was carried out. the cells in the inferior olivary nuclear complex (ioc) of both sides were estimated (mean = 57,200), as were the cerebellar purkinje cells (mean = 881,300). assuming that all climbing fibers arise from ioc cells and that each purkinje cell receives a climbing fiber input, each ioc cell sends climbing fiber terminals to 15 purkinje cells. | 2004 | 525234 |
| characterisation of and immunity to the aerobic bacteria found in the pouch of the brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula. | the bacterial composition of the brustail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) pouch was characterized throughout the reproductive cycle using brushtails from an australian captive breeding colony (45 swabs) and a wild population in new zealand (26 swabs). gram-positive coccal species predominate throughout the reproductive cycle. enteric gram-negative rods, particularly escherichia coli, were most prevalent when a pouch young was present and was most likely the result of faecal contamination from the ... | 2004 | 14656540 |
| experimental infection of possums with macropodid herpesvirus 1. | to determine whether macropodid herpesvirus 1 (mahv-1) could infect brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) and whether such infection would lead to latency in possums. | 2004 | 15768078 |
| assessment of anti-bovine il4 and ifn gamma antibodies to label il4 and ifn gamma in lymphocytes of the koala and brushtail possum. | we assess anti-bovine il4 and ifn gamma (ifng) antibodies for their ability to label il4 and ifng in koala (phascolarctos cinereus), common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) and mountain brushtail possum (trichosurus caninus) lymphocytes using flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry to determine their applicability to studies of host response to intracellular pathogens. anti-ifng labelled a product of pma-ionomycin stimulated sheep, koala and possum lymphocytes. high intensity labelling w ... | 2004 | 15350745 |
| susceptibility of brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) infected with mycobacterium bovis is associated with a transient macrophage activation profile. | the australian brushtail possums are highly susceptible to mycobacterium bovis and are the principal wildlife reservoir of m. bovis in new zealand. to better understand the disease process in these animals, brushtail possums were infected by the aerosol route with a virulent strain of m. bovis, and immune parameters measured. m. bovis replicated actively in the lungs of infected animals. animals began developing macroscopic lung lesions at 4 and 5 weeks following infection, with some lesions app ... | 2005 | 15958259 |
| seasonal changes in mesotocin and localization of its receptor in the prostate of the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the prostate gland in the brushtail possum grows and regresses seasonally. it has similarities to the human prostate and may therefore provide a unique model for investigating prostatic hyperplasia. oxytocin has been implicated in the regulation of prostate growth in eutherian mammals, and the initial aim of this study was to identify and localize the marsupial equivalent, mesotocin, and its receptor in the prostate of the brushtail possum. seasonal changes in prostatic mesotocin concentrations ... | 2005 | 15496513 |
| conjunctival vaccination of the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) with bacille calmette-guérin. | to determine the efficacy of conjunctival vaccination of captive brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) with bacille calmette-guérin (bcg), as measured by immunological responses to vaccination and response to intratracheal challenge with mycobacterium bovis. | 2005 | 15846397 |
| ranging behaviour and duration of survival of wild brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) infected with mycobacterium bovis. | to quantify the duration of survival of possums (trichosurus vulpecula) infected with mycobacterium bovis, and identify aspects of their behaviour which may influence the likelihood of disease transmission to domestic stock or wildlife. | 2005 | 16220120 |
| prolactin in the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula): development of homologous radioimmunoassay using recombinant possum prolactin. | we report the production of recombinant possum prolactin (posprl), and its use in the development and validation of a highly specific homologous radioimmunoassay for the measurement of prolactin (prl) in brushtail possums. this enabled the subsequent investigation of some basic mechanisms involved in the regulation of prl secretion in this species. recombinant posprl spanning the entire coding region was expressed in escherichia coli, resulting in a 199 amino acid protein with a molecular weight ... | 2005 | 15935156 |
| histology of the pouch epithelium and the mammary glands during chemically induced oestrus in the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | changes in the epithelium of the maternal pouch and the mammary gland of brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) were examined after animals were treated to induce ovulation with follicle-stimulating hormone (fsh), luteinizing hormone (lh), pregnant mares' serum gonadotrophin (pmsg) and oestradiol. the mammary glands were similar in appearance to those described in eutherian mammals and in previous studies on other marsupials. exposure of possums to these compounds, particularly pmsg, appeared ... | 2005 | 16011549 |
| brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) may pose a threat to public health in new zealand. | 2005 | 15782879 | |
| use of an electronic nose to diagnose mycobacterium bovis infection in badgers and cattle. | it is estimated that more than 50 million cattle are infected with mycobacterium bovis worldwide, resulting in severe economic losses. current diagnosis of tuberculosis (tb) in cattle relies on tuberculin skin testing, and when combined with the slaughter of test-positive animals, it has significantly reduced the incidence of bovine tb. the failure to eradicate bovine tb in great britain has been attributed in part to a reservoir of the infection in badgers (meles meles). accurate and reliable d ... | 2005 | 15814995 |
| vaccination of brushtail possums, trichosurus vulpecula, with bacille calmette-guerin induces t lymphocytes that reduce mycobacterium bovis replication in alveolar macrophages via a contact-dependent/nitric oxide-independent mechanism. | the permissiveness of alveolar macrophages from brushtail possums for the replication of mycobacterium bovis was examined. mycobacterium bovis replication was indirectly measured by assessing bacterial metabolism via the incorporation of [3-h]-uracil by bacilli released from lysed macrophages previously infected with mycobacteria. alveolar macrophages allowed substantial replication of virulent m. bovis, in contrast to bacille calmette-guerin (bcg) pasteur, which replicated poorly. the addition ... | 2005 | 15661042 |
| vap1, with cystatin c motif, an oocyte protein encoded by a novel ovarian-specific gene during oogenesis in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | in the brushtail possum oocyte, vesicles accumulate in a polarized fashion at the vegetal pole and cytoplasm rich in mitochondria and containing the germinal vesicle comprise the animal pole. during cleavage to early blastocyst stages, animal pole cytoplasm locates to the cells of the embryonic hemisphere (pluriblast) and vegetal pole vesicular cytoplasm to cells of the abembryonic hemisphere (trophoblast). previously identified 16 amino acid residues, associated with the vesicle-rich cytoplasm ... | 2005 | 15736124 |
| plant-based immunocontraceptive control of wildlife--"potentials, limitations, and possums". | possums (trichosurus vulpecula), originally introduced from australia, are spread over 90% of new zealand and cause major economic and environmental damage. immunocontraception has been suggested as a humane means to control them. marsupial-specific reproductive antigens expressed at high levels in edible transgenic plant tissue might provide a safe, effective, and cheap oral delivery bait for immunocontraceptive control. as proof of concept, female possums vaccinated with immunocontraceptive an ... | 2005 | 15734054 |
| ecotoxicity of sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080) to soil organisms. | sodium fluoroacetate (compound 1080) is applied as a vertebrate pesticide in new zealand for control of introduced mammalian pests. despite its widespread use, little is known about the soil ecotoxicity of 1080. therefore, the hazard of 1080 to soil invertebrates, plants, and soil microorganisms was evaluated in a series of controlled laboratory tests. no earthworm (eisenia fetida) mortality was reported with 1080 exposures up to 865 mg/kg soil. the lowest-observable-effect concentration and the ... | 2005 | 16111002 |
| rapid absorption of dietary 1,8-cineole results in critical blood concentration of cineole and immediate cessation of eating in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the blood concentration of 1,8-cineole and its metabolites was measured in six male brushtail possums while they voluntarily fed on diets laced with varying concentrations of cineole for 3 d. on the third day, blood samples were collected during and after each bout of feeding for 3 hr. blood cineole was measured by using headspace solid-phase microextraction (spme), while cineole metabolites were measured by liquid-liquid extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. feeding patte ... | 2005 | 16365704 |
| mapping of b cell epitopes on the zona pellucida 2 protein of a marsupial, the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | immunocontraceptive vaccines against zona pellucida (zp) proteins are being developed for brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) management in new zealand. mapping of b cell epitopes on the zp2 protein of possums was undertaken in this study to define the antigenic regions that may be crucial to sperm-egg binding. the amino acid sequence of the full-length possum zp2 protein (712 amino acids) was used to synthesize a complete set of 71 (15-mer) biotinylated peptides with an offset of five amin ... | 2005 | 15685627 |
| effects of nutrient variability on the genetic-based resistance of eucalyptus globulus to a mammalian herbivore and on plant defensive chemistry. | plant resistance to herbivores can be influenced not only by the independent effects of plant genotype and environmental variation, but by interactions between the two. the main aim of this study was to assess the effects of environmental variability (nutrient treatment) on the known genetic-based expression of resistance and defensive chemistry of eucalyptus globulus to browsing by the generalist mammalian herbivore trichosurus vulpecula. in a captive feeding trial, we measured intake of seedli ... | 2005 | 15583943 |
| inheritance of resistance to mammalian herbivores and of plant defensive chemistry in a eucalyptus species. | hybridization in plants provides an opportunity to investigate the patterns of inheritance of hybrid resistance to herbivores, and of the plant mechanisms conferring this resistance such as plant secondary metabolites. we investigated how inter-race differences in resistance of eucalyptus globulus to a generalist mammalian herbivore, trichosurus vulpecula, are inherited in their f1 hybrids. we assessed browsing damage of three-year-old trees in a common environment field trial on four hybrid typ ... | 2005 | 15898499 |
| inheritance of resistance to mammalian herbivores and of plant defensive chemistry in an eucalyptus species. | hybridization in plants provides an opportunity to investigate the patterns of inheritance of hybrid resistance to herbivores, and of the plant mechanisms conferring this resistance such as plant secondary metabolites. we investigated how inter-race differences in resistance of eucalyptus globulus to a generalist mammalian herbivore, trichosurus vulpecula, are inherited in their fl hybrids. we assessed browsing damage of 3-year-old trees in a common environment field trial on four hybrid types o ... | 2005 | 15856789 |
| periodic fluid extrusion and models of digesta mixing in the intestine of a herbivore, the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the digesta in four gut compartments (proximal and distal halves of small intestine, caecum, and proximal colon) of a wild hindgut fermenting herbivore, the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula), were investigated by rheometry and permeametry. digesta from all compartments were highly viscous and exhibited shear-thinning. apparent viscosity was positively related to dry matter content, and increased from proximal small intestine to colon. dynamic rheological measurements showed that in ... | 2005 | 15928916 |
| terminal reproductive effort in a marsupial. | life-history theory predicts that as organisms approach the end of their life, they should increase their reproductive effort (re). however, studies on mammals often find that measures of re do not vary with maternal age. this might be because offspring have some control over energy transfer which may constrain adaptive variation in re by mothers, particularly in eutherian mammals where placental function is primarily controlled by offspring. however, in marsupials, energy transfer is primarily ... | 2005 | 17148185 |
| gastrointestinal transit in the common brushtail possum measured by gamma scintigraphy. | this paper reports an example of the application of pharmaceutical technology to wildlife management, specifically the design of an oral delivery system for the common brushtail possum in new zealand. designing an oral delivery system requires a knowledge of the time taken for particulates to reach target sites within the gastrointestinal tract (git). the transit time for fluid and indigestible particles of two different size ranges was determined in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulp ... | 2005 | 16112826 |
| establishing and maintaining an operant research facility with brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) is a readily accessible marsupial that has been shown to adapt relatively well to captivity. the aim of this paper is to outline the husbandry procedures, experimental equipment, and methodologies used successfully within our possum colony since 1995. | 2005 | 16097359 |
| demography in relation to population density in two herbivorous marsupials: testing for source-sink dynamics versus independent regulation of population size. | we compared demography of populations along gradients of population density in two medium-sized herbivorous marsupials, the common brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula and the rufous bettong aepyprymnus rufescens, to test for net dispersal from high density populations (acting as sources) to low density populations (sinks). in both species, population density was positively related to soil fertility, and variation in soil fertility produced large differences in population density of contiguous ... | 2005 | 15583939 |
| ontogeny and pathway of formation of 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol in the testes of the immature brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula. | the testicular androgen 5alpha;-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol (androstanediol) mediates virilisation in pouch young of a marsupial, the tammar wallaby, and is the principal androgen formed in immature rodent testes. to chart the pattern of androstanediol formation in another marsupial species, the testes or fragments of testes from brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) that spanned the age range from early pouch young to mature adults were incubated with (3)h-progesterone and the products we ... | 2005 | 16263065 |
| unusually similar patterns of antibody v segment diversity in distantly related marsupials. | a pattern of coevolution between the v gene segments of ig h and l chains has been noted previously by several investigators. species with restricted germline v(h) diversity tend to have limited germline v(l) diversity, whereas species with high levels of germline v(h) diversity have more diverse v(l) gene segments. evidence for a limited pool of v(h) but diverse v(l) gene segments in a south american opossum, monodelphis domestica, is consistent with this marsupial being an exception to the pat ... | 2005 | 15843567 |
| further characterization of t cell receptor chains of marsupials. | cdna clones encoding t cell receptor alpha (tcralpha) and beta (tcrbeta) from the south american opossum, monodelphis domestica were isolated and characterized. a single clone isolated encoding a tcralpha chain was full length, containing the complete v (variable), j (joining) and c (constant) regions. three partial cdna clones were isolated for tcrbeta which contained complete c sequences. phylogenetic analysis of the tcr valpha revealed that the m. domestica sequence and a sequence from the au ... | 2006 | 11356229 |
| how do soil nutrients affect within-plant patterns of herbivory in seedlings of eucalyptus nitens? | this study assessed how the palatability of leaves of different age classes (young, intermediate and older) of eucalyptus nitens seedlings varied with plant nutrient status, based on captive feeding trials with two mammalian herbivores, red-bellied pademelons (thylogale billardierii), and common brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). seedlings were grown under three nutrient treatments (low, medium and high), and we determined how palatability was related to chemical and physical characteris ... | 2006 | 17031701 |
| a quantitative study of the morphological development and bacterial colonisation of the gut of the tammar wallaby macropus eugenii eugenii and brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula during in-pouch development. | we compared the rates of change of various morphological parameters of the stomach, small intestine, caecum and colon of tammar wallabies and brushtail possums with body mass during in-pouch development. these were correlated with changes in the numbers of bacterial species in the various gut segments. in the pouch-young of both species, the wet tissue masses of all gut segments increased with body mass in a positively allometric manner (i.e. with a body mass exponent > 1), suggesting that the m ... | 2006 | 16819652 |
| spatial scale of the patchiness of plant poisons: a critical influence on foraging efficiency. | generalist mammalian browsers and folivores feed on a range of chemically different plant species, which may assist them in diluting toxins and diversifying nutrient consumption. the frequency and order in which their diets are mixed are important determinants of intake. as a result, the degree of plant heterogeneity in an environment, and the spatial scale at which this occurs, should directly influence herbivore foraging decisions. we tested whether altering the spatial scale of plants, and th ... | 2006 | 16995624 |
| conflicting demands on detoxification pathways influence how common brushtail possums choose their diets. | most herbivores eat more and survive better when they have access to a variety of foods. one explanation involves the detoxification of plant secondary metabolites (psms). by feeding from a variety of plants that contain different classes of psms, animals can use multiple detoxification pathways and presumably consume more food. although popular, this theory is difficult to test because it requires knowledge of the detoxification pathways of each psm in the diet. we established that common brush ... | 2006 | 16937649 |
| plasma concentrations of prolactin in brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) in different physiological states. | prolactin (prl) has been implicated in reproduction in many mammalian species and is illustrated by the distinctive patterns of secretion during the breeding season, the oestrous cycle and lactation. the recent development of a homologous ria for measuring the circulating prl concentrations in brushtail possums has facilitated the reliable measurement of prl in plasma during different physiological states in this species for the first time. determination of prl concentrations during lactation in ... | 2006 | 16899563 |
| viscoelastic behaviour aids extrusion from and reabsorption of the liquid phase into the digesta plug: creep rheometry of hindgut digesta in the common brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula. | temporal variation in the rheometric properties of the proximal and distal colonic digesta of an arboreal marsupial folivore, the common brushtail possum, was examined to assess flow behaviour during peristalsis, segmentation and other aspects of intestinal motility. the time-dependent rheometric characteristics on application of a constant shear stress within the physiological range showed an initial elastic and subsequent viscoelastic phase, which fitted burger's model of creep compliance. sim ... | 2006 | 16482429 |
| behavioral responses of a generalist mammalian folivore to the physiological constraints of a chemically defended diet. | mammalian herbivores, particularly browsers and folivores, encounter and consume a range of plant chemical defenses [plant secondary metabolites (psms)] on a regular basis. the physiological regulation of psm ingestion and the resulting behavioral responses of mammalian herbivores directly affect their feeding decisions and the subsequent foraging strategies that they adopt. generalist mammalian herbivores are hypothesized to consume a generalized diet because of physiological limitations of the ... | 2006 | 16770709 |
| diet switching in a generalist mammalian folivore: fundamental to maximising intake. | generalist mammalian herbivores exploit a diverse diet. a generalised feeding strategy utilises a mixed diet to obtain a range of nutrients and to reduce the detoxication load of similar groups of plant secondary metabolites (psms). there is limited research investigating how mammalian herbivores achieve this dietary mixing in their daily foraging activities. we investigated the patterns of, and behaviours associated with, dietary mixing in a generalist mammalian folivore, the common brushtail p ... | 2006 | 16328546 |
| uptake and persistence of the vertebrate pesticide, sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080), in plants of cultural importance. | field research was undertaken to determine if naturally occurring plants utilised by a maori (the indigenous people of new zealand) community for food and medicine would take up the toxin sodium monofluoroacetate (compound 1080) from baits used to control the brush-tailed possum trichosurus vulpecula. single baits were placed at the base of individual plants of two species, pikopiko (asplenium bulbiferum) and karamuramu (coprosma robusta). plants were sampled at various times up to 56 days, and ... | 2006 | 16317481 |
| the role of wild animal populations in the epidemiology of tuberculosis in domestic animals: how to assess the risk. | tuberculosis is present in wild animal populations in north america, europe, africa and new zealand. some wild animal populations are a source of infection for domestic livestock and humans. an understanding of the potential of each wild animal population as a reservoir of infection for domestic animals is reached by determining the nature of the disease in each wild animal species, the routes of infection for domestic species and the risk of domestic animals encountering an infectious dose. the ... | 2006 | 16326039 |
| infection of naïve, free-living brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) with the nematode parasite parastrongyloides trichosuri and its subsequent spread. | despite the importance of spatial processes in host-parasite interactions, parasite dispersal has been the subject of few experimental studies. introduced marsupial common brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) are a major environmental and agricultural pest in new zealand. parastrongyloides trichosuri, an intestinal rhabdiasoid nematode parasite specific to possums, is being evaluated as a self-disseminating delivery system for engineered fertility control vaccines. this study addressed whet ... | 2006 | 16442541 |
| trends in the incidence of tuberculosis in possums and livestock, associated with differing control intensities applied to possum populations. | to determine the trap-catch index (an estimate of abundance) of brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) populations infected with bovine tuberculosis (tb; mycobacterium bovis) that must be achieved, and the length of time such an index must be maintained, for tb to be eliminated from possum populations and adjacent livestock. | 2006 | 16596155 |
| blowfly succession from possum (trichosurus vulpecula) carrion in a sheep-farming zone. | the significance of brushtail possum, trichosurus vulpecula kerr (diprotodontia: phalangeridae) carcasses to the succession and production of diptera species and its relevance to fly strike management in tasmania, australia was examined. calliphora stygia (fabricius), lucilia sericata (meigen) and calliphora vicina robineau-desvoidy (diptera: calliphoridae) were found to be the most abundant and lucilia cuprina (wiedemann) (diptera: calliphoridae) always the least abundant (< 1%) of the putative ... | 2006 | 17199756 |
| the effect of fertility control on the transmission of bovine tuberculosis in wild brushtail possums. | to determine the effect of fertility control on the rate of transmission of bovine tuberculosis (tb), caused by mycobacterium bovis, in brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | 2006 | 17028658 |
| serologic survey for toxoplasma gondii and neospora caninum in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) from urban sydney, australia. | the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) has well adapted to increasing urbanization, resulting in greater interaction with humans and their domestic pets. wildlife species in urban areas face a higher risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens and may be affected by parasites hosted by cats (toxoplasma gondii) or dogs (neospora caninum), yet it is unknown to what extent urban t. vulpecula are exposed to these parasites. antibodies to t. gondii and n. caninum were assayed in sera of 142 a ... | 2006 | 16729682 |
| motilin and erythromycin enhance the in vitro contractile activity of the sphincter of oddi of the australian brush-tailed possum. | erythromycin has been shown to interact with gastrointestinal smooth muscle in a similar manner to motilin, and has been postulated as a motilin receptor agonist. we report that in isolated preparations from the biliary tract of thirty one australian brush-tailed possums (trichosurus vulpecula) erythromycin acts in a similar manner to motilin. in all muscle strips from the sphincter of oddi, prepared in both the circular and longitudinal orientation, both synthetic porcine motilin (10(-10) m-10( ... | 2006 | 1538793 |
| marsupial cardiac myosins are similar to those of eutherians in subunit composition and in the correlation of their expression with body size. | cardiac myosins and their subunit compositions were studied in ten species of marsupial mammals. using native gel electrophoresis, ventricular myosin in macropodoids showed three isoforms, v(1), v(2) and v(3), and western blots using specific anti-alpha- and anti-beta-cardiac myosin heavy chain (myhc) antibodies showed their myhc compositions to be alphaalpha, alphabeta and betabeta, respectively. atrial myosin showed alphaalpha myhc composition but differed from v(1) in light chain composition. ... | 2007 | 16988832 |
| oral challenge of brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) with possum enteroviruses: clinical observation, antibody response and virus excretion in faeces. | to investigate the pathogenesis of two cytopathic enteroviruses, w1 and w6, isolated from possums, to evaluate their potential as vectors for biological management of possums. | 2007 | 17928897 |
| a descriptive spatial analysis of bovine tuberculosis in intensively controlled cattle farms in new zealand. | we describe the temporal and geographical distribution of confirmed cases of bovine tuberculosis (tb) in a population of cattle in the south-east of the north island of new zealand. data were derived from routine tb testing conducted between 1980 and 2003 and included details for 69 farms. four six-year periods were defined to coincide with changes in depopulation strategies against the wildlife tb reservoir, the brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula. for the periods 1980 to 1985 and 1986 to 19 ... | 2007 | 17425934 |
| organic osmolytes in the developing kidney of the australian brush-tailed possum, trichosurus vulpecula. | developmental changes in the plasma and urine composition of 120 immature possums, trichosurus vulpecula, were investigated and correlated with changes in the osmolyte composition of the kidneys. in early life, when the animal is confined in the pouch, the urine is more or less isosmotic with the plasma (300+/-70 mosm kg(-1)), but rises steeply in animals more than 90 days old, up to 667+/-53 mosm kg(-1) in the oldest age group. in parallel with this change there are corresponding increases in m ... | 2007 | 17428718 |
| uterine and vaginal insemination optimised in brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin and porcine luteinising hormone. | artificial insemination of brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) is being developed as an assisted breeding model for endangered marsupials, as well as a bioassay for testing fertility control vaccines to manage overabundant populations. procedures were optimised in animals superovulated with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (pmsg) and porcine luteinising hormone (plh). of three intervals examined, yields were maximal following uterine insemination at 27-29.5 h after plh treatment (four egg ... | 2007 | 17524296 |
| leptospirosis serology in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) from urban sydney, australia. | the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) is indeed a common marsupial in major cities of australia. this species is known to be susceptible to leptospirosis and often lives in close contact with humans, raising concerns about the potential for transmission of this disease in urban areas. a total of 192 brushtail possum blood samples were collected from 136 individuals in suburban areas of metropolitan sydney from november 2002 to november 2004. sera were screened against a reference p ... | 2007 | 17699087 |
| measuring degradation of zinc phosphide residues in possum stomach contents. | zinc phosphide (znp) has been identified as a potentially cost-effective vertebrate pesticide for possum (trichosurus vulpecula) control in new zealand. we established methodology for analysis of microencapsulated znp formulations (mzp) and investigated the half-life of residual znp in the stomach contents of poisoned possums. an interlaboratory study was conducted to compare results of znp analysis in stomach contents. the half-life of znp was 3.4 days for znp in possum stomach contents and 6.7 ... | 2007 | 17874024 |
| mosquitoes feeding on brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) and humans in a native forest fragment in the auckland region of new zealand. | a study was carried out to identify the native and exotic mosquito species that feed on possums (and also humans) during daytime in a native forest fragment in the auckland region. twenty-two possums were handled in spring 2005, and 21 in the following summer. a total of 32 female mosquitoes were collected while handling the possums (22 mosquitoes were on humans--all introduced aedes notoscriptus; 10 on possums--9 ae. notoscriptus and 1 native coquillettidia iracunda). these results support prev ... | 2007 | 18264199 |
| a new attenuated mycobacterium bovis vaccine protects brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) against experimental tuberculosis infection. | vaccination of wildlife against bovine tuberculosis is being actively considered in countries that have wildlife reservoirs of mycobacterium bovis infection. a newly attenuated strain of m. bovis (wag533) was produced as part of a programme to develop a better vaccine than bcg to control tuberculosis in brushtail possums in new zealand. the vaccine efficacy of wag533 in possums was compared to bcg using three different methods of inoculation (conjunctival/intranasal, oral and sub-cutaneous) foll ... | 2007 | 17498852 |
| physiology and pharmacology of the brushtail possum gastrointestinal tract: relationship to the human gastrointestinal tract. | oral formulations are typically based on studies from eutherian animal models. this review introduces information relating to oral formulations for a marsupial species, the australian brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) that has arisen from research into new methods for controlling this species - a major vertebrate pest in new zealand. morphologically, the gastrointestinal tract of the brushtail possum is similar to that of hindgut fermenting eutherian species, but there are some striking d ... | 2007 | 17870201 |
| tissue distribution of cytochrome p450 3a (cyp3a) in brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) exposed to eucalyptus terpenes. | we evaluated the distribution pattern of a specific xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme, cytochrome p450 3a (cyp3a) in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). western blot studies using cyp3a antibodies were used to compare cyp3a levels in the intestine, liver, kidney, brain, testes and adrenal gland in possums fed diets with and without a mixture of terpenes. possums appear to produce at least 3 different cyp3a-like isoforms that are differentially expressed in various tissues. the live ... | 2007 | 17292676 |
| development and evaluation of real-time polymerase chain reaction assays to identify mosquito (diptera: culicidae) bloodmeals originating from native australian mammals. | real-time taqman polymerase chain reaction (pcr) assays were developed for the identification of mosquito (diptera: culicidae) bloodmeals originating from three groups of native australian mammals. primers and probes were designed to amplify a partial fragment of the cytochrome b gene of the agile wallaby, macropus agilis (gould); brushtail possum, trichosurus vulpecula (kerr); and the consensus sequence of the four species of australian flying fox: pteropus alecto temminck, pteropus conspicilla ... | 2007 | 17294925 |
| characterisation of two enteroviruses isolated from australian brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) in new zealand. | two enteroviruses, designated w1 and w6, were isolated from intestinal contents of australian brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) in new zealand. the genomic sequences of w1 and w6 were 7390 and 7391 nucleotides (nt), respectively. genetically, possum isolates w1 and w6 were related to bovine enterovirus serotype 2 (bev-2) strains, especially to the strain ps87/belfast, based on the capsid protein sequence. however, w1 and w6 formed a clade that was distinct from ps87belfast based on nucle ... | 2007 | 16906477 |
| three-dimensional structure and ligand binding properties of trichosurin, a metatherian lipocalin from the milk whey of the common brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula. | lipocalins are extracellular proteins (17-25 kda) that bind and transport small lipophilic molecules. the three-dimensional structure of the first lipocalin from a metatherian has been determined at different values of ph both with and without bound ligands. trichosurin, a protein from the milk whey of the common brushtail possum, trichosurus vulpecula, has been recombinantly expressed in escherichia coli, refolded from inclusion bodies, purified and crystallized at two different ph values. the ... | 2007 | 17685895 |
| characterization of the hemoglobins of the adult brushtailed possum, trichosurus vulpecula (kerr) reveals non-genetic heterogeneity. | the hemoglobins contained within the red blood cells of the adult brushtail possum exhibited cooperative (n=2.6) oxygen binding curves with an associated p50 of 38 mm hg at ph 7.4 and a large bohr effect (-0.60). stripped hemolysate showed a bohr effect of -0.27, and was sensitive to added dpg (k=56 micromol l(-1)), atp (k=130 micromol l(-1)), and chloride ions. four isoforms of hemoglobin were identified using isoelectric focusing. mass spectrometry indicated that all four isoforms most likely ... | 2007 | 17689995 |
| effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the present study investigated the effects of slow-release implants containing the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (gnrh) agonist deslorelin on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). captive female brushtail possums were assigned to control (placebo implant), low dose (4.7 mg deslorelin) or high dose (9.4 mg deslorelin) groups; males were assigned to control or high dose (9.4 mg deslorelin) groups. the acute effects of deslorelin treatment at the level of the pituit ... | 2007 | 18076822 |
| an analysis of the gene complement of a marsupial, monodelphis domestica: evolution of lineage-specific genes and giant chromosomes. | the newly sequenced genome of monodelphis domestica not only provides the out-group necessary to better understand our own eutherian lineage, but it enables insights into the innovative biology of metatherians. here, we compare monodelphis with homo sequences from alignments of single nucleotides, genes, and whole chromosomes. using phyop, we have established orthologs in homo for 82% (15,250) of monodelphis gene predictions. those with single orthologs in each species exhibited a high median sy ... | 2007 | 17495010 |
| enhancing absorption of fluorescein and lhrh across hindgut epithelia in a marsupial, the common brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula. | we have identified differences in transport properties of intestinal epithelia in the marsupial brushtail possum, compared to eutherian mammals. to determine whether differences in its permeability to hydrophilic compounds also occur, the absorption of sodium fluorescein and luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (lhrh) was assessed in vitro and the ability of chemical enhancers and a metabolic inhibitor to promote their absorption investigated. the apparent permeability of colonic and caecal tis ... | 2007 | 17506515 |
| immunogenicity and contraceptive potential of three infertility-relevant zona pellucida 2 epitopes in the marsupial brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | in a previous study, three infertility-relevant epitopes of possum zp2 (pep12 (amino acids 111-125), pep31 (amino acids 301-315), and pep44 (amino acids 431-445)) were identified using sera from possums (trichosurus vulpecula) immunized with recombinant possum zona pellucida 2 (zp2) constructs, and a synthetic peptide library of possum zp2 protein. in this study, the three peptides were conjugated to keyhole limpet hemocyanin and 300 mug of each conjugated peptide were administered subcutaneousl ... | 2007 | 17244744 |
| spatial distribution of defense chemicals and markers and the maintenance of chemical variation. | exploring the spatial distribution of variation in plant secondary metabolites is critical for understanding the evolutionary ecology of biochemical diversity in wild organisms. in the present study, concentrations of foliar sideroxylonal, an important and highly heritable defense chemical of eucalyptus melliodora, displayed strong, fine-scale spatial autocorrelation. the spatial patterns observed could promote associational effects on herbivore foraging decisions, which may influence the select ... | 2007 | 17503599 |
| proteomic analysis of whey and casein proteins in early milk from the marsupial trichosurus vulpecula, the common brushtail possum. | whey and casein proteins representing the first and second halves of the early lactation phase in the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) have been compared by two dimensional gel electrophoresis. nine components of whey were differentially expressed during early lactation, including proteins identified as cathepsin b, clusterin, late lactation protein, lysozyme, ganglioside m2 activator and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin. a major novel protein, termed very early lactatio ... | 2007 | 20483284 |
| behavioural, biochemical, and pathological responses of possums (trichosurus vulpecula) poisoned with phosphorus paste. | to investigate the behavioural, biochemical and pathological responses of possums following poisoning with phosphorus paste, in order to assess the implications for the welfare of possums. | 2007 | 17534411 |
| pharmacokinetics of 1,8-cineole, a dietary toxin, in the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula): significance for feeding. | 1,8-cineole (cineole) is a eucalyptus leaf toxin that defends against predation by herbivores such as the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). the aim of the current study was to characterize the pharmacokinetics of cineole in the possum to improve understanding about how possums can avoid cineole toxicity when eating a eucalyptus diet. nine male possums were trapped in the wild and acclimated to captivity; a subcutaneous port was then implanted for venous blood sampling. cineole was admini ... | 2007 | 17896321 |
| high definition mapping of circular and longitudinal motility in the terminal ileum of the brushtail possum trichosurus vulpecula with watery and viscous perfusates. | longitudinal and radial movements during spontaneous contractions of isolated segments of terminal ileum of the brushtail possum, a species of arboreal folivore, were studied using high definition spatiotemporal maps. segments obtained from specimens were continuously perfused with solutions of various apparent viscosities at 3 cm and 5 cm hydrostatic pressure. a series of sustained tetrodotoxin-sensitive peristaltic events occurred during perfusion. the leading edge of each peristaltic event pr ... | 2007 | 17342493 |
| acrosome stability in the spermatozoa of dasyurid marsupials. | the spermatozoa of most marsupials lack nuclear stabilising disulfide-bonded protamines found in eutherian mammals. however, disulfide stabilisation has been observed in the acrosome of macropodid (macropus eugenii) and phalangerid (trichosurus vulpecula) marsupials. as a result this organelle, which is normally fragile in eutherian mammals, is robust and able to withstand physical and chemical challenge in these marsupials. the present study examined acrosomal characteristics of the spermatozoa ... | 2008 | 18255019 |
| long-term dynamics of a fragmented rainforest mammal assemblage. | habitat fragmentation is a severe threat to tropical biotas, but its long-term effects are poorly understood. we evaluated longer-term changes in the abundance of larger (>1 kg) mammals in fragmented and intact rainforest and in riparian "corridors" in tropical queensland, with data from 190 spotlighting surveys conducted in 1986-1987 and 2006-2007. in 1986-1987 when most fragments were already 20-50 years old, mammal assemblages differed markedly between fragmented and intact forest. most vulne ... | 2008 | 18637907 |
| high variability in the mhc class ii da beta chain of the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the diversity of class ii major histocompatibility complex (mhc) loci was investigated in the brushtail possum, an important marsupial pest species in new zealand. immunocontraception, a form of fertility control that generates an autoimmune response, is being developed as a population control method for the possum. because the immune response is partly under genetic control, an understanding of immunogenetics in possum will be crucial to the development of immunocontraceptive vaccines. mhc mole ... | 2008 | 18758765 |
| allometry of evaporative water loss in marsupials: implications of the effect of ambient relative humidity on the physiology of brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | to better understand the effects of ambient relative humidity (rh) on physiological variables and the implications of rh-correcting evaporative water loss (ewl) data for marsupials, we examined the effect of rh on ewl, body temperature (tb), metabolic rate (mr) and thermal conductance (c) of the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula), a medium-sized marsupial. correcting ewl data for 27 species of marsupial for water vapour pressure deficit (deltawvp) in the chamber during measurement signific ... | 2008 | 18723532 |
| identification of novel major histocompatibility complex class i sequences in a marsupial, the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the major histocompatibility complex (mhc) is an essential part of the vertebrate immune response. mhc genes may be classified as classical, non-classical or non-functional pseudogenes. we have investigated the diversity of class i mhc genes in the brushtail possum, a marsupial native to australia and an introduced pest in new zealand. the mhc of marsupials is poorly characterised compared to eutherian mammal species. comparisons between marsupials and eutherians may enhance understanding of the ... | 2008 | 18636252 |
| novel alleles in classical major histocompatibility complex class ii loci of the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | we have investigated the diversity of class ii major histocompatibility complex (mhc) loci in the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula), an important marsupial pest species in new zealand. immunocontraceptive vaccines, a method of fertility control that employs the immune system to attack reproductive cells or proteins, are currently being researched as a means of population control for the possum. variation has been observed in the immune response of individual possums to immunocontraceptive ... | 2008 | 18548245 |
| characterization of the hemoglobins of the neonatal brushtailed possum trichosurus vulpecula (kerr): evidence for a highly cooperative, aggregated isoform of hemoglobin. | the red blood cells of the neonatal brushtailed possum exhibit unusually strong cooperativity at high levels of oxygen saturation (n=5.4) which appear to arise from a concentration dependent aggregation of one of the neonatal hemoglobin isoforms. red blood cells from neonatal pouched young exhibit a bohr factor of -0.36. stripped hemolysate is sensitive to added 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (bpg) (apparent binding constant k=35 micromol l(-1)) and atp (k=180 micromol l(-1)), but is largely insensitiv ... | 2008 | 18420437 |
| expression of mrnas encoding oestrogen receptor (er) alpha and erbeta, androgen receptor and progesterone receptor during gonadal and follicular development in the marsupial brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the objective of the present study was to determine which ovarian cells express mrnas for oestrogen (eralpha and erbeta), androgen (ar) and progesterone (pr) receptors during ovarian and follicular development in the brushtail possum. expression of eralpha and/or erbeta mrna was observed from birth, initially in cells of the blastema, then in the medullary cords from day 20. eralpha was expressed in the oocytes and granulosa cells of secondary and antral follicles. preovulatory follicles did not ... | 2008 | 18402753 |
| development of tolerance to the dietary plant secondary metabolite 1,8-cineole by the brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula). | the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) is a generalist herbivore whose diet includes eucalyptus leaves that are well defended by plant secondary metabolites (psm) such as the terpene 1,8-cineole (cineole). we accustomed possums to a terpene-free diet, then challenged them with the addition of 2% cineole to the diet. initially, there was a 50% reduction in total overnight food consumption associated with a marked decrease in the mass of the major feeding bout. after nine nights, howe ... | 2008 | 18401660 |
| prevalence and genetic characterization of cryptosporidium isolates from common brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula) adapted to urban settings. | the common brushtail possum (trichosurus vulpecula) is one of the most abundant native marsupials in urban australia, having successfully adapted to utilize anthropogenic resources. the habituation of possums to food and shelter available in human settlements has facilitated interaction with people, pets, and zoo animals, increasing the potential for transmission of zoonotic cryptosporidium pathogens. this study sought to examine the identity and prevalence of cryptosporidium species occurring i ... | 2008 | 18641156 |
| oral toxicity of p-aminopropiophenone to brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula), dama wallabies (macropus eugenii), and mallards (anas platyrhynchos). | development of p-aminopropiophenone (papp) as a toxicant for pest predator management in new zealand and australia prompted investigation of its toxicity to potential nontarget species. acute oral toxicity of papp in brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula), dama wallabies (macropus eugenii), and mallards (anas platyrhynchos) was estimated in pen trials, carried out between february 2000 and september 2001. the susceptibility of possums (ld50>or=500 mg kg(-1)) and wallabies (ld50 89 mg kg(-1)) ... | 2008 | 18689651 |
| vesicle-associated protein 1: a novel ovarian immunocontraceptive target in the common brushtail possum, trichosurus vulpecula. | ovarian-based immunological research is currently restricted to proteins of the zona pellucida. this study examined the immunocontraceptive potential of a novel vesicle-associated protein, vap1, previously isolated from the vesicle-rich hemisphere of the brushtail possum oocyte. seven female possums were immunized against recombinant glutathione s-transferase-vap1 fusion protein. control animals (n=3) received antigen-free vaccinations. following immunization, regular blood sampling determined t ... | 2008 | 18713812 |
| bacterial ghosts as a delivery system for zona pellucida-2 fertility control vaccines for brushtail possums (trichosurus vulpecula). | the introduced brushtail possum is a serious pest in new zealand and there is much interest in the development of an immunocontraceptive vaccine for population control. immunisation of female possums against recombinant possum zona pellucida protein-2 (zp2) is known to reduce embryo production by 72-75% but successful development of fertility control will depend on a delivery system that is effective for field use. bacterial ghost vaccine technology is a promising system to formulate a non-livin ... | 2008 | 18948157 |